While childhood is supposed to be a time of innocence, it is unfortunate that many children and youth today often experience intense anxiety and may even suffer from nervous or mental breakdowns and depression.
According to WHO, globally one in seven children between the ages of 10-19 experiences a mental disorder. Anxiety, depression and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability amongst adolescents, with suicide being the fourth leading cause of death amongst 15-29 year-olds.
Yet despite these alarming figures, mental disorders in children often go unrecognized and untreated. The consequences of failing to address child and adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting the opportunities for children to lead fulfilling lives as adults. Even more disheartening to note is that the majority of those who experience childhood depression are female children.
The world has always been a place of hunger, plagues, wars and pandemics. Life is often filled with trials – natural and man-made. Sadly, and in virtually all cases, it is children who suffer the most, especially when the trials are compounded by major traumatic events such as the loss of a parent, displacement and sexual violence. The mental and psychological anguish created by these incidences, if left untreated, often leaves scars that these children carry for the rest of their lives. People with childhood histories of trauma are vulnerable to developing a host of problems, including difficulties concentrating, outbursts of anger, panic, depression, and challenges with food intake, drugs, and sleep, as well as higher levels of stress hormones and reduced or impaired immune responses. It is important to note that most of the world’s criminals suffer from mental disorders that began in their childhood.
The upcoming GNRC Sixth Forum (November 19 to 21, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, UAE) will address many of the trauma activators for children and adolescents, including wars and political instability, gender violence, parental negligence and family conflict, bullying, and racism. More children than ever before in history are experiencing the trauma of war and unspeakable violence. As people of conscience, it is our duty to ensure that the devastating effects of violence and trauma on children’s mental and physical health are recognized as a global health priority and that practical actions are taken to help children who are suffering and to make the world a safer and more secure place for all.
It is our responsibility as adults to protect and not neglect and abuse children. So, let all people from every community, in every part of the globe, join hands at the GNRC Sixth Forum and contribute to discussions on the mental safety and protection of all children.
Remember, children are our future. A troubled child is a troubled future.
